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Bringing Some Basic DIY Chops to a SW Florida New Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Captiva Island. Imagine the first time you turn the front door key to a new SW Florida home—the first time you step over the threshold of the home you now own. It’s a moment to truly savor. Whether it’s a feeling of well-being—that of a major milestone successfully accomplished—or just the sheer joy of appreciating the milestone it represents, it’s a moment you’d be remembering for a very long time.But after the joy (eventually) comes another moment: one that’s all but inevitable. It’s when you first begin to notice flaws in your new home you didn’t see before. Don’t worry! Most of them will be little imperfections that can be banished with simple Do-It-Yourself fixes. Here are a few of the more common ones:Squeaky Wood FloorsWooden floors are a joy to walk on, their look is warm and inviting, and wood’s sound-buffering properties make a room a comfortable conversation setting. On the other hand, creaks and squeaks can develop over time—a problem that’s easy to overlook until you have lived with it for a while. Squeaks can be due to a number of different causes, so no one fix is sure to work, but one easy fix is to sweep some talcum powder into the cracks. If the source is floorboards rubbing against each other, that can do the trick. If, on the other hand, your new SW Florida home has floorboard planks that actually move, driving a single nail through to the sub floor should stop any movement. Cover nail holes with wood-filler (any of SW Florida’s hardware stores carries a full spectrum of fillers to precisely match the wood tone).Dull RoomsUnless you are going for an architectural or starkly modern feel, the open, spacious look that white walls imparted before you moved in can begin to feel cold and sterile once you’re settled. A coat of paint in warm neutrals (browns, tans, faint greens and reds) can transform such spaces into more comfortable environs. Painting is easy—as long as you have some patience (and painters’ tape). Plan on taping the night before, painting in the morning (don’t leave the tape on too long). The breath of life that results can literally transform a room.Warm it UpOne of the easiest ways to make your new home in SW Florida an inviting environment is to “shape” its light. Experiment with warmer color or full-spectrum light bulbs (they can be the earth-friendly LED or CFL cost-efficient types, which are no longer limited to the colder tones).And while we’re discussing ‘warmth,’ where it’s needed, be conscious of drafts that will only become noticeable when the chilly weather returns. Be willing to place weather-stripping around doors and windows to keep your new home warm (and cool during the summer). It costs nothing when you take the reduction in heating bills into account. Bringing Some Basic DIY Chops to a SW Florida New Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Captiva Island. A few quick fixes are probably all you’ll need to feel squared away in your new home in SW Florida. If you haven’t yet found the perfect place, I’ll be standing by all summer to help you find it. Call me today to discuss properties that will be coming onto the market soon—homes to fit your budget and taste!

Listing Your SW Florida House after It’s Been on the Market! Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres. Listing your house in SW Florida anew after it’s lingered on the market for a while can bring surprisingly quick success…with the right tactics. The truth is, if a home hasn’t sold in today’s market, there is usually an identifiable reason. Here are some tips that can reverse what happened when listing your house the first time failed to strike pay dirt:• Compare prices of comparable homes that have sold in your neighborhood, and use those as the benchmarks. If your area listing was priced to allow 10-20% for negotiating room, that’s the likely culprit. Consider listing your SW Florida house at 1% to 5% below your competitors—it’s a proven way to get more feet through your entryway.• A well thought-out marketing strategy with multiple advertising channels can be a necessity in a competitive area. Discuss taking advantage of social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube with your SW Florida real estate agent. Is there a way you as a homeowner can help? Consider holding mid-week open houses in the evening hours so visitors can drop by on their way home from work. Being extra flexible and accommodating can make the difference in getting qualified buyers through the door.• If you are listing your house in SW Florida for a second time, you will want to make any deferred repair and cosmetic décor change you may have put off the first time ‘round. The vast majority of today’s area buyers are looking for a home that’s 100% “move-in ready.”• Patience is never more critical than when negotiating a price for your home. Refuse to be put off by offers that are lower than what you were expecting. You don’t need to accept such offers—but rather than just rejecting them, consider offering incentives (such as paying the buyer’s closing costs, or a point on the mortgage) when the price difference is too great. Other ideas: offer to pick up moving expenses, or include excluded appliances in the bargain. When a home doesn’t sell the first time around, finding details you can change to encourage a better result is the kind of positive approach that works most often. You should also be conscious of the fact that the market is constantly changing. Reduced interest rates alone may sell your home faster—just as higher rates may require adjusting your price or adding more incentives. Being informed and prepared when a prospect comes along will put you at a competitive advantage. Listing Your SW Florida House after It’s Been on the Market! Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres. If you’re considering listing your house in SW Florida this summer and want an agent with the vision needed to get your home S-O-L-D, call me today!

International Home Buyers Shop SW Florida Properties Online! Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs, Sanibel Island. International home buyers are becoming an increasingly important part of the national real estate landscape. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, home buyers from around the globe are spending billions on property in the U.S. Many of these well-heeled international home buyers don’t require financing—which means the sales are often easy to accomplish (for example, last year, 70% of houses bought by Chinese buyers closed in cash!).But that’s not to say that marketing to out-of-country buyers is a snap. If you have a property in SW Florida you believe could have foreign appeal, read on. There are some specific ins and outs for marketing to international home buyers:Since many prospective international home buyers for SW Florida will not be able to physically visit the properties they will be comparing, it’s doubly important to have full photographic coverage—plenty of photos and videos which they can view online. You should include photos of all major areas of the home, both the inside and the outside of the property. Particularly important are the kitchen, living room, dining room, bathrooms and bedrooms. It’s understandable why international home buyers often choose properties they feel they have seen over those which leave areas undocumented.Selling a SW Florida home to international home buyers, consider tailoring the language used in your marketing. For example, most international buyers will think in terms of square meters rather than square feet. Offering both measures makes it clearer that you are happy to court the foreign market. The fact is, the home-buying process is probably quite different in their home country, so it’s likely to require patience on your part (and your Realtor’s) to explain the home buying process and special legal requirements involved. Showing your willingness to do that is a plus. In fact, your property’s website is a great place for a FAQ section specifically for foreign home buyers!Think about why international home buyers are shopping for property here in SW Florida. In some cases it may be because they recognize that SW Florida residential properties represents good investment opportunities…in which case, it will be advantageous to showcase rental information prospects. Then again, sometimes the reasons for purchasing an SW Florida property are more personal. Many international buyers want to educate their children in the United States to give them the best way to learn flawless English. Pointing out the quality of our school system can be a strong selling point for these international home buyers. You should also include information about your home’s proximity to the closest airports and transportation corridors, as well as any information about local expatriate communities.International Home Buyers Shop SW Florida Properties Online! Naples, Ft. Myers, Estero, Bonita Springs, Sanibel Island. Marketing to international buyers isn’t really difficult—and just could result in a premium purchase price. If you are considering listing your home in SW Florida for sale this summer and believe there is a chance that it could be a good fit for international home buyers, call me today for an in-home evaluation!

Are SW Florida Home Prices Still Undervalued? Naples, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral. For the past two years national home prices have risen sharply, which might lead to the conclusion that they are overpriced. In fact, if we’re to believe the most recent report by real estate website Trulia, they are still 5% undervalued when measured against long-term fundamentals. So will this summer’s home prices in SW Florida be broaching unsustainable levels—or will they be reasonable?The Problem of Measuring Only Home Price IncreasesReal estate price increases by themselves are poor indicators of over or undervalued real estate. Because of the headlong drop in real estate prices in 2007, throughout most of the country, prices have increased significantly without approaching the previous highs. A well-publicized example is in Las Vegas, where prices have increased by almost 60% over the last couple of years, yet by many yardsticks remain affordable. How Home Affordability Is MeasuredThere are a number of different ways of measuring whether home prices in SW Florida could be considered to be over or undervalued. They include looking at how current prices compare with long-term trends; how prices measure up against average incomes; the comparable cost of renting, etc. The Trulia report used a wide range of these indicators to emerge with a complete picture of the affordability of real estate across the country. Not all research confirms Trulia’s assertion. According to the Fitch Sustainable Home Price Model, national prices are overvalued by something like 15%. Critics note, however, that the Fitch model is distorted by prices in some of the markets selected – particularly California. Why 2014 Isn’t 2006I find Trulia’s track record impressive. In the first quarter of 2006, they reported that home prices were 39% overvalued…and by 2011, that number had fallen to 15% undervalued. It’s latest finding that current national prices are still 5% undervalued gives weight to those who believe we are far from entering “bubble” territory—at least for the time being. Some contributory factors could explain why. Inventory has been constrained for a number of years, fallout from the weakness of building activity following 2007. Mortgage rate increases have slowed, but since they are still slightly higher than before, they have provided a dampening effect. Also relevant: some of the new lending regulations make it less likely that we will see a repeat of the rampant subprime lending that triggered collapse in 2007. Are SW Florida Home Prices Still Undervalued? Naples, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral. All of which makes a fairly convincing case for homeowners in SW Florida to be reasonably confident that the price gains made over the past couple of years won’t soon disappear. Of course, individual SW Florida home prices vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, just as they do from house to house. If you’re interested in an accurate home price analysis of your own property, I hope you’ll call me today—I am always happy to schedule a free and confidential evaluation.

Arrangements Could Affect Future of SW Florida Housing. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Estero, Bonita Springs. Of the things Americans take for granted, one of the least questioned is the future availability of familiar housing circumstances: housing that’s ‘like where I grew up.’ For urban dwellers, that might be an apartment or condominium; for others, a single-family home—a house with a yard, or perhaps a farm or ranch house. It may be time to re-examine that whole idea.Over the past few years, there has been a significant increase in multi-generational living arrangements. We read and hear a lot about the housing situation that sees many young adults now living with their parents—but that’s not the whole story. Seniors are increasingly likely to live with their children. The latest census housing data confirms that 9% of seniors now live in a household headed by their children. If you are planning to sell your home this summer, it’s worth thinking how multi-generational living is affecting housing here in SW Florida.In the past, multi-generational living was the rule rather than the exception. In 1900, 57% of Americans aged 65 years or older lived with other family members. Following World War II, increased education, better access to loans and the GI bill meant that more young adults could buy homes. At the same time, older adults benefited from social security and medical care which let them live longer independently. By 1990, only 17% of people aged 65 years or older lived with their families.The recession of 2008 created a job crunch that produced the “boomerang kid” phenomenon: many young adults took longer to leave their parents’ home to seek housing on their own. Too, the growth in the aging proportion of the population has meant that many older Americans are living with their adult children. A third contributor is the increase in the number of ethnic minorities with cultural biases for more than one generation to share housing. It’s not surprising if the result of these trends is to influence SW Florida housing preferences. According to the American Institute of Architects’ Home Design Trends Survey, there has been a traceable rise in demand for “in-law” suites over the past year. There has also been an increase in demand for homes with a master bedroom and full bath on the ground floor—the layout most popular when older parents will be accommodated. Other features such as ramps, home elevators and non-slip floors are also gaining popularity. Den, attics and basements are all also increasingly being converted into bedrooms and living areas for younger adults and older parents.Developers are also responding to the same trend by introducing housing best described as “multi-generational-friendly”. In 2011, national builder Lennar introduced their “Next Gen” house plan: a layout that has the capacity to become two houses in one. The attached house has its own entrance, bedroom, kitchen and living space. A connecting interior door can convert the house into one big home—but when closed, the two residences are separate. Apparently, the idea has been a notable success: Lennar now offers 50 different Next Gen floor plans in 120 communities across the country.Arrangements Could Affect Future of SW Florida Housing. Naples, Ft. Myers, Marco Island, Estero, Bonita Springs. The return to multi-generational living seems likely to have a significant impact on the types of SW Florida housing that will be developed in coming decades. SW Florida houses with in-law and young adult-friendly features (such as additional rooms and bathrooms) are likely to grow in demand. Especially if you’re thinking of remodeling your home, don’t hesitate to contact me before you start. I can offer relevant feedback about how your remodel is likely to affect your sales price now—and throughout coming years.

Decisions Large and Small Shape Selling Your SW Florida Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Golden Gate Estates. Selling your home in SW Florida: from the first inkling that you will be putting it on the market until you sign off on the paperwork, the process can be seen as a series of dozens and dozens of decisions. Many are not simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ decisions, either; and many have answers that no one can ever prove was right or not.From your SW Florida real estate agent’s perspective, providing counsel on the choices when asked is an important part of the service we provide. We get to offer a deep reservoir of experience: what has worked (and not worked) before here in SW Florida, as well as where the latest trends are pointing. Pricing, timing, marketing approaches are all areas where our input can be of immense value—can shape how quickly the selling of your home succeeds. In addition to the thunderously clear absolute imperatives like de-cluttering and removing an overabundance of personal items, there are also less vital areas where small touches can nudge prospective buyers in the right direction. These are details that aren’t vital—details that sometimes may not even have any impact at all on some prospects—yet which sometimes come into play. Here are a few examples of touches that you can decide to consider when you are in the process selling your own SW Florida home: Kitchen: clean that refrigerator; defrost that freezer! You’d be surprised a many buyers open the refrigerator door (whether it’s included in the listing or not). For some reason, it seems to be a natural thing to do…even though when you’re prepping your house for a showing it’s one of the last things you think about. But taking the time early-on to do a deep cleaning and defrosting will make it simple to keep up, and the ‘newer home’ impression that results can be worth doing.Fixtures: A little changing out of outdated bathroom fixtures, as well as knobs and pulls on cabinet doors and drawers, can make a huge difference in whether a room comes across as old and tired—or newly updated and presentable. The decisions about whether and what to consider changing can be less than obvious, so giving some thought and imagination into them will be necessary.Decisions Large and Small Shape Selling Your SW Florida Home. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Golden Gate Estates. Presentation: Set the table? Arrange fresh floral cuttings in more than one room? Leave a note thanking your visitors for considering your home? Decisions, decisions, decisions! If you will be selling your home in SW Florida this summer, your Realtor will be by your side, helping you make informed choices about which are worth pursuing. Starting early is the first one that’s a definite right choice…and I hope calling me for a complimentary assessment will be your second!

Moving to SW Florida Means Vetting Reliable Carriers. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Sanibel Island. Moving to SW Florida (or moving to anywhere) is adventure enough without including one of the moving company scams that are all too common. It seems hard to believe that unscrupulous carriers can continue to operate, but the fact is, there are a lot of them out there. If you will be moving to SW Florida anytime soon, you don’t have to worry about any of the rip-off artists if you follow some straightforward guidelines:1. Check the FMCSA The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration runs a household goods program designed to aid consumers. Their website includes a search feature that records past complaints for known companies…but be aware that only interstate movers are listed. Along with complaint information, it lists company contact details so you will know you’re dealing with the people they say they are. 2. Check Online ReviewsA search engine search of the company can be helpful: just enter the company name plus ‘reviews’ or ‘ratings.’ You’ll often find Yelp entries, and with luck, recent experiences by customers moving to SW Florida. 3. Get A Written EstimateYou should be skeptical of any moving company that is willing to provide a quote over the phone or internet. This may not be evidence of a scam, but often means that you are dealing with a broker rather than the company itself. In fact, the U.S. Department of Transportation red flags any over who doesn’t offer or agree to an on-site inspection of our household goods “or gives an estimate over the phone or internet”…the too-good-to-be-true estimates, demands for large upfront deposits, or failure to hand you the “Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” pamphlet (Federal regulations require Interstate movers do so during the planning stages) are all signs of trouble ahead!4. Insurance IssuesBefore you hand over your belongings, it is a good idea to check that you’ll be moving to SW Florida with the proper insurance. Ask the movers about their insurance policy and note the policy number. If you have any concerns, you can check with the insurance provider to confirm that they are properly covered.5. Use A Mover With A Physical AddressAnother sign to watch out for are moving companies that don’t list a physical business address. With a brick-and-mortar base of operations, you know where to head should anything go wrong. Moving to SW Florida Means Vetting Reliable Carriers. Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs, Marco Island, Isles Of Capri, Sanibel Island. Moving scams can cost a lot of money—not to mention the stress that results when unscrupulous operators have all your stuff! If you’re planning on moving to SW Florida this summer, please consider me your local guide to our area. I’m here to offer professional real estate representation—as well as a ton of information about all things SW Florida!

Top Posts & Pages

Taking the Housing Market’s Pulse: Just Say “Aahhhh”… Naples, Ft. Myers, Cape Coral! When you go in for your annual physical, you’re hoping for a sunny prognosis. Realtor® magazine isn’t a medical journal, but it does have a feature called “Market Pulse.” It reports on the patient’s vital signs (if you imagine the patient being […]

Why Fall in SW Florida Can be Such a Bustling Season, Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs! Probably more than any other time of year, it seems like the onset of fall in SW Florida triggers an impulse to get things done! True, there is a similar phenomenon in the spring when many an ambitious cleaning […]

FHA Mind Change is Good News for SW Florida Appraisals, Naples, Ft. Myers! It was a federal agency reversal that was startling in its effect: a change in guidance that actually clarified more than muddled! The change will directly affect SW Florida buyers and sellers because the issue will impact the cost of SW Florida […]

Beyond the Month’s SW Florida Real Estate News, Naples, Ft. Myers, Isles Of Capri! Whenever a month’s SW Florida real estate activity ends on a Friday, the number-gatherers close up shop knowing there will be a longer than usual lapse until they can be sure of the SW Florida real estate activity statistics. That creates […]

Sharing Creative Touches with Luxury SW Florida Homes, Naples, Marco Island! You can find how-to books with strategies laying out do-it-yourself strategies for transforming a property into a “luxury” home. Likewise, there are scads of online lists of imaginative touches that imply they will do the same. The idea is certainly appealing (but so is […]

Your Home’s SW Florida Listing is the Sum of Parts, Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs! The art of selling a home begins with the SW Florida listings. Much serious study is continuously given to what works best when it comes to listing language and detail, yet a good deal remains a purely creative exercise. That […]

SW Florida Borrowers See Slight Fall in Mortgage Interest Rates, Naples, Isles Of Capri, Estero! It was fairly clear that the table had been set for last week’s Federal Reserve meeting to result in a minimal rise in mortgage interest rates. Their Fed Funds rate directly influences the mortgage interest rates that banks observe. Since […]

House Hunting in SW Florida Can Offer Surprises, Naples, Marco Island, Cape Coral! When you go house hunting in SW Florida, you’re likely to share a lot of the same basic assumptions that most everybody does. Whether you have a lengthy list of hard-and-fast requirements or are in more of a “just seeing what’s out […]

Top 5 Expectations for SW Florida Real Estate Investments, Naples, Ft. Myers, Bonita Springs! If you go looking for insights from successful SW Florida real estate investors, depending on which areas they concentrate on, you could come up with a variety of takes. Despite the distinct differences that separate the commercial and residential investment spheres […]

Selling Your Home by Widening the SW Florida Customer Base, Naples, Ft. Myers, Cape Coral! Marketers for any SW Florida business want to know as much as possible about their “customer base”—the population of potential buyers who might be attracted to their product. If you are in the process of selling your SW Florida home, […]